Erickson: For whatever reason, Cassanova McKinzy's impressive sophomore campaign has gone overlooked, as evidenced by the fact that Kris Frost, and not McKinzy, landed as Auburn's representative on the Butkus Award's preseason watch list.

Not that there's anything wrong with Frost, but his teammate has a better resume so far. McKinzy, a big, powerful linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, led Auburn with 75 tackles last season, the first time an underclassman has finished on top of that list since the 2008 season. In addition, McKinzy finished third on the team with eight tackles-for-loss, came up with 1.5 sacks against LSU and picked off an early pass against Arkansas for a key turnover.

McKinzy is moving into the middle now, a position better suited for his talents. From the moment he arrived, McKinzy has been a physical linebacker who plays downhill and does his best work near the line of scrimmage, and in the middle of Auburn's defense, he'll get more chances to mix it up with the big boys than he did on the weak side. With another year in Ellis Johnson's defense under his belt and the experience that came with starting every game for the Tigers a year ago, McKinzy should be even better, and then the recognition might finally start to come his way.

Marcello: LaDarius Owens is not only underrated, he has been overlooked by many of us. The defensive end missed spring practices with an injury to his right foot, but that should not discount what this senior is capable of achieving off the edge in 2014. Often overshadowed last season by Dee Ford, it was Owens who proved consistent as a tackler rotating with Carl Lawson on the right side last season. Lawson, however, may miss the upcoming season after ACL surgery. It's now up to the senior to step up and take the bulk of the snaps in his final season on the Plains.

In a sport where the new guy automatically gets more attention than the veteran, it is Owens who should be tabbed as the Tigers' savior up front. It's up to him to help the Tigers and build on his solid season a year ago. He could start by having a more substantial impact on quarterbacks (5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks). After all, he had 11 quarterback hurries -- the second-highest total on the team -- and if he can translate a few of those into sacks, he will not only prove effective, but worthy of the starting role and as one of the Tigers' best defensive linemen.

Auburn needs help at defensive end with Lawson out with an injury and Ford gone to the NFL (10.5 sacks), and while more newcomers develop and provide depth, Owens should provide a steady hand.